Columbus Grove hires new elementary principal

Brad Calvelage has been hired as the new elementary principal. (Putnam Sentinel/Nancy Kline)

COLUMBUS GROVE — A new principal has been hired for the Columbus Grove Elementary School.

Brad Calvelage was given a two-year contract, beginning August 1, by the Columbus Grove School Board Tuesday night during a special meeting. He has served as an elementary principal at Patrick Henry School District for the past three years. He will oversee the elementary, which consists of kindergarten through grade six.

Superintendent Nick Verhoff, who was currently serving as both superintendent and elementary principal, said school officials at Patrick Henry said Calvelage did a great job for them and they did not want to see him leave.

“We are really looking forward to him coming here,” Verhoff said.

Calvelage, originally from Ottoville, is currently living in Fort Jennings with his wife Manda and their three children Owen, Autumn, both age seven, and Brynn, age three. Calvelage received his degree at Bowling Green State University and his Masters from the University of Findlay. He started his career teaching at the Otsego School District.

Calvelage said he really enjoyed his time at Patrick Henry, but was looking forward to getting closer to home. He said the Columbus Grove School District has a great reputation and he has found the staff to be very welcoming.

“I’ve heard great things about the leadership and the staff in place here,” Calvelage said.

Verhoff told the board in February he had originally intended to continue in both roles for another year. Verhoff noted he wanted to experience the elementary position first-hand to be able to implement various initiatives. But he realized he was not meeting the needs of the elementary staff. He felt the staff was wonderful and patient with him and has done a tremendous job, but they deserve a full-time administrator.